Rule D-1 - Commutation of Dower(a) IN GENERAL. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or adjudged for good cause, the dower of a healthy person in land sold by judgment of the court is equal to 1/3 of the value of that person's life estate in the land, computed in accordance with the Probate Division rule governing computation of the allowance for a life estate.(b) VALUATION DATE. For purposes of this rule, the valuation date is the first day of the month next preceding the month in which the initial pleading seeking commutation is filed.Sup. Ct. R. D.C. app D R. R. D-1
Adopted by Order dated March 4, 2022, effective 8/22/2022.COMMENT
Dower existed in the District of Columbia until April 26, 2001, the effective date of the Omnibus Trusts and Estates Amendment Act of 2000, which abolished dower.